I need help deciding where to focus our efforts. Our EFC is definitely higher than expected ($60k/yr). Our income has only been very high the last few years. We have not saved much due to high cost of living and medical expenses.
Our daughter (class of 2017) seems mostly interested in small, “quirky” LACs like Vassar, Bard, Skidmore, etc. but is open to others. She seems to understand our actual finances can’t support that.
Her focus may be pre-med, or something related to Biology, but she is also a gifted writer.
I want to help get her into the best school we can realistically afford if we downsize, maybe $20k/year.
Anyway, I’m just trying to come up with a list of schools that are highly likely to offer the most merit aid for someone with her stats/ecs, regardless of our income.
We are looking into possible athletic scholarships for lacrosse, but few unis she is interested in are recruiting at this stage.
Stats:
GPA 3.7
ACT 26
1280
5 AP classes, 4s and 5s on tests so far
High Honors Junior year
National Science Honors Society
Lacrosse - 9 years, lettered, captain
Guitar - 3 years
Ice Hockey - 4 years, captain
Writing club
Hospital volunteer - 100 hours
Habitat for Humanity - 1 build
Other volunteering - 80 hours
Childcare job
There are a few other ECs and athletic/academic awards.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading and I appreciate any help you can offer.
So if you are looking at small, private LACs expect the cost to be around $60k plus. That would mean you would need around $40k in merit, which may be hard with that ACT score. A possiblity would be to look at small colleges in the South or Midwest that have a lower cost of attendance. The northeast and midatlantic will be much pricier. If you take out the $5500 student loan and she works you would need less merit, but still need a sizeable amt. Do you think she would be open to one of your state schools? If I were you, I would look into Colleges That Change Lives schools that are test optional. Your D might be a desirable candidate do to all her other strengths. Also, think of ways where you could maybe come up with another $5000 or so a year. Every bit helps.
D is open to Uconn, but is almost certain she won’t get accepted… A small LAC isn’t a must. She really likes that type of “vibe”. We are more than open to (just not familiar with) less costly schools. If that makes sense.
Unfortunately, she has terrible test anxiety, so the scores are what they are. Too bad since she works so hard.
Thanks so much for the advice. I will look into test optional.
Is $20,000 per year just your parental contribution, or does that include student contribution (student loans and work earnings, meaning a parental contribution of $10,000 to $15,000)?
Some lists of large scholarships (verify on college web sites):
She should be aware that the path to medical doctor involves a high stakes standardized test (MCAT), as well as top end grades in college courses which use tests to determine grades.
Use collegedata.com. Search on a college then click “Money Matters.”
The parts you are looking for are: Admissions - are her stats in the top or somewhere in the middle?
Money Matters - what percentage of kids are receiving merit aid?
You want her stats as high up in the applicant pool as possible, and you want a school where a high percentage of the students get merit awards.
20K is a pretty low price tag for merit aid at a small private LAC. Try small public colleges, your in-state system, and any schools close enough to home that she could commute and save on room and board. Or, look into your community college system: Do the first two years for less than 20K and pocket the difference towards spending more junior and senior year.
Does the 20K number just include cash flow? Can you add part of the American Opportunity Tax Credit refund you should be getting? (The IRS refunds the first 4K you pay in tuition for four tax years.) Can you add a student loan? (Not a private loan, but the maximum federal direct student loan.) Your budget is going to limit your choices.
I agree that it will be very difficult to find much at her stats that will come down to 20k. Realistically you will be able to find many lovely LAC’s that will offer her merit but their sticker price is higher to start. We are in a very similar boat with similar stats (slightly lower). LAC’s that have come in closest to your target amount are all in the Midwest (I’ve not priced the south) specifically College of Wooster, Beloit, Lawrence. All CTCL schools. They should come in under 30 but they won’t be 20. A couple of smaller universities ones that priced out well were Bradley and Alfred.
In general I’ve found the “better” merit offers still only get the cost down to 36-40 with the few exceptions noted above. To find under/at 20 at her stats I think you’ll have to look in state. Do look at test optional schools as that may be a good option in a few cases.
Agree with the above…if she can’t test highly due to test anxiety or whatever, then med school is a no-go. Not only would she need to score highly on the MCAT (and an ACT 26 doesn’t suggest she can do so), she will have to score well on the Step exams, especially on Step 1…along with the shelf exams.
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Anyway, I'm just trying to come up with a list of schools that are highly likely to offer the most merit aid for someone with her stats/ecs, regardless of our income.
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Merit is mostly based on test scores…ECs are not a big consideration unless used for “down-selection” after test scores are considered.
As for athletic scholarships…What is her coach saying? Is it too late in the game for those? Is she good enough?
It doesn’t really matter that the schools she’s considering won’t give her any because frankly, she needs a new list. Her coach may help you come up with a new list.
Look at Truman State Univ in Missouri…very fine public LAC with merit.
Since you really need HUGE merit, look at schools where her ACT 26 is WELL-WITHIN the upper quartile.
I know someone who took Beta Blockers on a couple of occasions when they had to give a presentation before a big crowd. This person had a fear of public speaking. It worked, but definitely ask her doctor. It’s the kind of thing you use just once, not on a daily basis.
For your budget and your D’s stats, definitely consider public institutions in your home state. Connecticut, right? If UConn-Storrs is out of reach then consider other campuses or else some of the directional state universities. Central CT State appears to be close enough to your $20K limit (for tuition plus r&b) that “self help” (student loan, work-study) could easily cover the difference.
New College of Florida was a great suggestion. It’s a “quirky” LAC in the Vassar/Bard/Skidmore vein. OOS tuition, r&b runs about $40K but they’ve been awarding merit scholarships (at least $15K) apparently to all OOS freshmen.
That would get you close to your budget limit; “self help” should cover the difference. Try to get clear info about the school’s commitment to carry these scholarships over all 4 years. https://www.ncf.edu/admissions/cost-and-aid/scholarships/out-of-state-freshmen/
Thanks so much, everyone! We are trying to stay positive. I know her stats aren’t mind-blowing compared to some, but we are adjusting expectations and leveraging what we’ve got! I really appreciate the recos and advice.
She’s well aware of the rigorous testing she will have to undergo if she decides to pursue medical. The great thing about this kid is, she was born with developmental problems. The docs said she’d never even play sports. So… It’s kind of hard to discourage her from anything she wants to accomplish.
